Got Green, a program of the White Center CDA, is hosting its first open house on Wednesday, March 17!

Expect food, entertainment, multimedia presentations and the chance to network with Got Green and their community partners on how to support Green jobs, Green initiatives, youth, low-income communities of color and more.

Child care is available - this event is open and free to the public.

Please see flyer above for more information.

Attention youth and students! This year’s Youth Summit planning is underway, so if you’d like to get involved and/or if you’re looking for service learning hours, please contact estevan@youthmediaseattle.org. Youth Media Institute and other youth organizations at Youngstown have been longtime partners and supporters of White Center CDA. Last year, the youth summit was held in White Center, and this year it will include all of our South Seattle communities, so expect a larger event and even more fun!

Photo courtesy of King County Parks blog.

From King County Parks regarding the new playground at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center:

“The new playground at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center is now officially OPEN! Featuring some very groovy Scandinavian-designed equipment for kids aged 2-5 and 5-12, there are slides, swings, and lots of spinny things. And of course, safety surfacing so you don’t get hurt when you fall down and go boom.”

Thanks to Darlene Sellers from the Teen Program for giving the White Center CDA a heads up about this!

Your time and commitment can change a child’s future

TechStart is a free after-school program for students in 1st through 8th grade. The focus of TechStart is providing technology and academic education to underserved children of color. Technology Access Foundation is in need of Classroom support in White Center and South Seattle.

Volunteers support the Teacher by answering questions, keeping students on task and determining which students need extra support in the areas of Science, Technology, math and reading.

This opportunity is great experience for those seeking a career in teaching.

Also this position is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working with younger children, are passionate about technology, and are looking to be part of a dynamic and diverse learning community.

Please respond with any question or inquiries. Here is a link to our Website with more information on volunteering.
http://www.techaccess.org/Partners/volunteers.html

Steve Rowley, executive director of K-12 Schools, speaks to parents at Cascade Middle School on Feb. 9. Photo by Ian Dapiaoen.

Last night, a meeting was held at Cascade Middle School to discuss how two School Improvement Grant (SIG) time lines will affect the school. The issue was to discuss pros and cons of the time line(s), and to identify one model that the school should implement in either the Fall 2010 or Fall 2011.

The two time lines are (typed directly from a handout given last night):

Voluntary Action (short)

Jan 28 - District alerted as to eligible schools

Feb 4-5 - Meet with staff, letter home to parents; inform others

Feb 10 - Supt/Board recommendation on “Voluntary vs. Required”

Feb 11-28 - State Visit Board decision on model

March 5 - Submit application

March-April - District notification of grant award

April-Aug - Major Planning & Prep work around implementation

Sept. 2010 - New model begins

Required Action (long)

Feb 4-5 - Meet with staff, letter home to parents; inform others

Feb 10 - Supt/Board recommendation on “Voluntary vs. Required”

Feb 11-28 - Possible state visit, alert OSPI to whether we will be going the voluntary or required route

Spring 2010 early - Winter 2011 - Comprehensive planning in preparation for selection of reform model, draft and submit plan to OSPI for approval of plan, status of plan request received from OSPI.

Sept 2011 - New models begin

NOTE: There will be a HSD board meeting tonight at the ERAC Special Eduation Building, 6:00pm at 15675 Ambaum Boulevard Southwest Burien, WA 98166. The board will decide which time line to adapt.

The four models are:

Turnaround model. Replace the principal and rehire no more than 50 percent of the staff, and grant the principal sufficient operational flexibility (including in staffing, calendars/time, and budgeting) to implement fully a comprehensive approach to substantially improve student outcomes.

Restart model. Convert a school or close and reopen it under a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an education management organization that has been selected through a rigorous review process.

School closure. Close a school and enroll the students who attended that school in other schools in the LEA that are higher achieving.

Transformation model. Implement each of the following strategies: (1) replace the principal and take steps to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; (2) institute comprehensive instructional reforms; (3) increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and (4) provide operational flexibility and sustained support.

For questions/concerns, email Steve Rowley at rowleysr@hsdr401.org.

Note: If you’d like this flyer in Spanish, Vietnamese or Arabic, please let us know!

Got Green?, a program of the White Center CDA, produced a hip hop video highlighting the importance of green jobs, green initiatives, and energy conservation. This video debuted at the 2009 White Center Community Summit in December; featuring longstanding Seattle hip hop figureheads Silver Shadow D, Laura “Piece” Kelley, and more.

After watching that, check out Got Green’s partner organization Green For All’s hip hop video, The Dream Reborn (My President is Green):

What is CASASTART?

CASASTART is a positive youth development program aimed at preventing substance abuse and violence among high-risk 11 to 14-year-olds. Neighborhood House CASASTART case managers work with students, their families, and school staff at Denny Middle School and Aki Kurose Middle School to help students improve their school attendance, grades, and behavior.

Why are mentors needed for CASASTART?

Mentors are an important component of CASASTART. Each month, mentors join our students in various activities during after-school hours. These activities range from educational to simply hanging out. By being present each month, mentors become positive adult role models to our students which they may not otherwise have if it were not for the CASASTART program.

Is this a one-on-one mentoring?

No. CASASTART events are group activities and you will be with other mentors and Neighborhood House staff.

What characteristics are you looking for in a mentor?

We welcome mentors from different backgrounds. People who are outgoing, proactive, energetic, reliable, work well with teens, and have great desire to volunteer their time would make effective CASASTART mentors.

What is the required time commitment?

Mentors spend two hours per month with the students plus some planning time with the other mentors. We ask that mentors commit at least six months.

When do CASASTART mentoring events happen?

Since mentors are largely responsible for planning the events each month, they are able to plan the events with their schedules in mind. Generally, events have been held from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. during a weekday.

Does it cost anything to be a mentor?

We only ask for your valuable time, commitment, and energy.

Do you provide training?

Yes. After volunteer forms are submitted and background checks are finished, we set up a time for orientation and training.

I would like to be a CASASTART mentor. What do I need to do to get started?

Please e-mail Romina Rivera, the Volunteer Coordinator for Youth Programs, at RominaR@nhwa.org or call 206 383 6955.